Ken Kerr’s team may have drawn its first match when a victory was within grasp, but the goals were brilliant.

The Cedar Park Christian boys soccer coach spoke passionately about the Eagles’ netters to start the season. First, there was Lawrence Triff’s blast from outside the penalty box, and then Darrel Holmquist’s 40-yard run and shot past the goalkeeper during the Eagles’ 2-2 tie against Northwest Sept. 9.

“(Lawrence) hammered it — it was a smokin’ shot,” Kerr said. “Darrel went through four guys … it was one against the world.”

Cedar Park was one goal away from the state tournament last season, and Kerr thinks the Eagles have a shot to get there this time out.

Leading the way will be returning seniors Nick Kunnanz, Dale Wilson, Josh Moore and Ethan Gutheil, and sophomores Lucas Chadwick and Addison Parker.

“As a whole, I think this team is better balanced than last year’s team. We’re a little stronger,” said the third-year coach, who noted that the team needs to play together, stay in shape and make quick passes to win. “I’m very hopeful.”

Girls

First-year Cedar Park coach Deanna Kirk was relieved to get her first match in the books. It was a 1-0 victory against Northwest Sept. 9 — not a bad start.

“That was pretty exciting,” she said. “We got through the first game, now we’re OK.”

Sophomore Nicolette Clark netted the Eagles’ goal and is one of the team’s top returners along with senior Emilie Grant, junior Carly Grant and sophomores Ryan Miller and Anna Barrett.

Kirk, who previously coached Shoreline Christian’s boys team for four years, likes what she sees at Cedar Park.

“This is probably the hardest-working team I’ve ever coached — it’s a coach’s dream come true. They say, ‘Tell us what to do, give us more, we want to do better,’” she said. “There are no big stars, just a lot of good players.”

Against Northwest, Kirk said the players seemed a bit nervous, but they turned it on in the second half to notch the victory. She believes the girls are ready for a successful season.

And it all starts in practice, where the coach creates new drills each day to keep the girls on their toes.

“I like to keep them thinking on the field every practice,” she said. “If you’re not thinking in practice, you’re not going to be thinking in the game.”

Cedar Park continued its winning ways with a 3-1 result against Bellevue Christian last Thursday behind two goals from Clark and one from Emilie Grant.